The Premier League's joint top goalscorers Leicester City and Manchester City failed to strike this evening as they played out a 0-0 draw at the King Power Stadium.
Jamie Vardy and Raheem Sterling had the best chances of the game to break the deadlock, but it was not to be as the teams shared the spoils.
The Foxes missed the chance of returning to the summit of the league table, but they are second on level points with leaders Arsenal heading into the New Year, while City move to third, three points off the top spot.
Relive the match in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text coverage below.
6.45pmHello all! The Premier League fixtures are coming thick and fast in this festive period, and tonight, Leicester City and Manchester City will go head to head in their final game of 2015. The league table at Christmas generally indicates where clubs will finish come May, and as it stands, both of these sides are in contention for the title.
6.47pmI think it's fair to say that not many people would have tipped Leicester at the start of the season to be vying for league glory! Claudio Ranieri's job at the former Championship club has been nothing short of remarkable so far. Many would have expected the Foxes to have fallen away by now, but the team have only been beaten twice in the top flight so far this season. They can also end the year as league leaders with a win this evening.
6.49pmn contrast, Man City were always expected to be in the title hunt. The North-West outfit have taken the English crown twice in four years and they became favourites to be crowned champions once again when Chelsea slipped down the table. At the moment, Manuel Pellegrini's side are four points adrift of leaders Arsenal, but they can close the gap with a win this evening.
6.51pmRight, before we delve any further, let's have a look at the lineups, starting with the home side...
6.51pmLEICESTER XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Inler, Drinkwater, Kante; Mahrez, Vardy, Albrighton
Subs: De Laet, King, Okazaki, Ulloa, Dyer, Wasilewski, Schwarzer
Subs: De Laet, King, Okazaki, Ulloa, Dyer, Wasilewski, Schwarzer
6.52pmMAN CITY XI: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Silva, Sterling, De Bruyne; Aguero
Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Horsfield, Zabaleta, Navas, Bony, Iheanacho
Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Horsfield, Zabaleta, Navas, Bony, Iheanacho
6.53pmThe big news for Leicester is that their leading goalscorer Jamie Vardy has been given the green light to start tonight. There were doubts over the striker's availability after he was substituted in the second half against Liverpool on Saturday due to a fever. Vardy will provide attacking threat alongside Riyad Mahrez - between them the duo have scored 28 goals.
6.56pmClaudio Ranieri has made two changes to the personnel as Gokhan Inler makes his third start of the season and Danny Drinkwater returns to the midfield after recovering from an injury. Andy King and Shinji Okazaki have dropped to the bench as a result of the first XI reshuffle. Danny Simpson, Robert Huth, Wes Morgan and Christian Fuchs will line up ahead of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, while N'Golo Kante will join Inler and Drinkwater in the middle of the park.
6.59pmAs mentioned, Mahrez will provide assistance to Vardy while Marc Albrighton has been given the task of contributing from the wing. Leicester can get back on track tonight after suffering only their second defeat of the season at the weekend. Now, let's look at the City team (we haven't forgotten!)
7.01pmManuel Pellegrini has made just the one change to the team that beat Sunderland at the weekend, and it's bad news for Leicester fans as Sergio Aguero has returned to the starting XI, replacing Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian has been placed on the bench and he may feel slightly hard done by as he found the back of the net against Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
7.04pmAguero was named on the bench at the weekend as he works his way back from a heel injury, but he is deemed fit enough to start this evening. The Argentine's attacking prowess will be complimented by Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, while David Silva has also been named in the starting XI.
7.07pmYaya Toure will line the midfield with Fernandinho, while Bacary Sagna, Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala and Aleksandar Kolarov make up the back four, with Joe Hart keeping goal.
7.10pmAs mentioned, most people probably would have thought that Leicester would have dropped out of the top four by now, but 18 games gone and they are still going strong! The first real sign of trouble came on Boxing Day when Ranieri's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. The team managed to weather an early storm from Jurgen Klopp's side, but were undone by a single goal from Christian Benteke.
7.11pmThe festive period is arguably the worst time to drop points, and as City are heading into this game on the back of a 4-1 win over Sunderland, Leicester will need to be on top form in order to avoid back-to-back defeats. If they are to do that, they will need Vardy and Riyad Mahrez to be at their best.
7.14pmThe duo have been vital in Leicester's surge to the top of the table. Mahrez's movement and slick passing has been as crucial as his goalscoring - the Frenchman has scored 13 goals for the Foxes so far this season, while many look at Vardy as the team's star man. The 28-year-old is the league's leading scorer with 15 goals and holds the Premier League record of netting in 11 consecutive top-flight fixtures.
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7.19pmThis game could prove to be a contest full of goals as the teams are joint top scorers in the Premier League with 37 goals apiece. The neutrals can (hopefully) expect an end-to-end encounter as both sides are attack-minded, but Leicester may feel a little sore after their 10-game unbeaten run in the top flight came to an end at Anfield. The danger for the Foxes is that they cannot be too reliant on Vardy and Mahrez as the pair showed against Liverpool that they are not invincible. An additional point to make is that both have so far avoided injuries.
7.20pmOn Boxing Day, Vardy had to be hauled off in the second half due to a fever, but aside from that, the striker has pretty much been ever-present in the team. Leicester have been lucky that their two star men have been able to avoid serious injury problems as a lengthy spell on the sidelines for either player would call the Foxes's top-four charge into question. That is not to say that Leicester do not function as a decent team without the duo, but mentally it would be damaging to the team to lose either one.
7.21pmLeicester boss Ranieri has been speaking to BT Sport prior to kickoff. He said: "I think it's a miracle for us. At half season we have 38 points, its fantastic, a great achievement.
"I think [Manchester] City are bidding to win the Premier League and Champions League and we are fighting with them. Its unbelievable.
"We know we need to do the perfect match today but if City make the perfect matches it's dangerous for us, but we have to try, we have nothing to lose. We make two changes just to give us something more after there matches."
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7.24pm
Out come the lads. Warm-ups in full-swing at the King Power Stadium. #foxesvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/kGRKO5Uux3
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 29, 20157.24pmNow, let's turn our attention to the visitors. As mentioned, City have been early favourites to claim their third Premier League title in five seasons, but once again, they are struggling to put a stamp on the campaign. Manuel Pellegrini has a wealth of talent within his squad, but for some reason, the team have struggled with consistency this season. In their last six league games, City have won three and lost three and have not had back-to-back wins since early October. They have also managed to score just once in their last four games on the road. Added to that, City have gone five games without a win away from home, making it their worst league run on the road since April 2011.
7.28pmThe inconsistency could be down to the number of injury problems that they have been forced to deal with. David Silva had a lengthy spell out of the team, while Sergio Aguero and captain Vincent Kompany seem to be in and out of the side on a regular basis. The issue with City at the moment is that nobody is ever quite sure what side is going to turn up. They claimed a convincing win over Sunderland on Saturday, but prior to that they lost 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates.
7.30pmCity's other defeats of the season have come against Stoke City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, but they will have big incentive to get a win at the King Power Stadium as they can go level on points with Leicester, but will move into second in the standings due to a superior goal difference.
7.31pmPrior to kickoff, Pellegrini told BT Sport: "I said five or six years ago its very difficult to know what happens in the future. Teams that win the first round of fixtures with under 40 points is unusual but it makes it closer.
"They are the best team from the first half of the season so we must play really well. They are dangerous attacking so we must concentrate."
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7.33pmSomething that could be in the minds of the City supporters right now is the future of their manager. Pep Guardiola has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium and those rumours intensified when he announced earlier this month that he will leave Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich at the end of the season. City are the frontrunners to seal the Spaniard's signature, which would spell the end of Pellegrini's three-year spell at the Premier League club.
7.35pmIt is fair to suggest that Pellegrini could be distracted by rumours that he could be out of a job by May, but the Chilean has insisted that he and his players have not been affected by the speculation.
Pellegrini recently told reporters: "I don't think players work for the manager, they work for the group, the team, themselves. They want to win, they want to continue in a big team. A successful manager must have a connection with his players - not everyone can do it - but I don't think professional players have any problems if they are listening or reading about things that may happen next year.
"If they are distracted by that sort of thing, they are not professionals, not top players. Because this sort of thing is a fact of life at big clubs, you must separate the present and the future for your work. Look at all the most important teams in Europe, all have them have had moments where the manager is going to be sacked.
"Sometimes the speculation is true, sometimes not, but you cannot let it affect you. Rafa Benitez and Louis van Gaal are facing uncertainty at the moment, it is just what happens with big teams. It's part of the job description."
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7.39pmHEAD TO HEAD: Right, kickoff is not far away so let's have a look at the history between these two sides. It's not great reading for Leicester as they suffered defeat in both of their league matches against City last season. However, the Foxes have not been beaten by City three times in a row since August 1961. The good news for City, though, is that they are unbeaten in their last five away trips to Leicester in the league.
7.41pmPREDICTION: So, where do you see this one going? Given how unpredictable this league is, it's anyones game! While Leicester have been very impressive this season and have managed to snatch points off Manchester United and Chelsea, it will be a big ask to keep City quiet. The Foxes have only suffered defeat twice in the top flight, but tonight will be a big test as their counterparts have plenty of quality among their ranks. This match-up has all the makings of an exciting game with a handful of goals, but I expect the visitors to get all three points this evening.
7.42pmBoth sets of teams have emerged onto the pitch to a huge roar from the crowd. Fingers crossed for an entertaining game!
1 minKICKOFF! Leicester get us underway, kicking from left to right.
2 minBoth sides have had the ball in these early stages and both seem content to just hold possession and get a feel for the game before launching an attack at goal.
3 minAlbrighton wins a free kick for the hosts as Sagna brings him down on the edge of the 18-yard box. All Leicester's defenders move forward into the area - the ball is swung in deep, but it's too high and goes over every blue shirt in the box.
4 minSilva tries to make things happen for City as he sends a low ball forward after sporting Sterling's run, but Morgan reads the move and manages to knock the ball into touch.
5 minSterling manages to muscle his way past Simpson and play the ball forward for Kolarov, who cuts the ball back into the middle of the penalty area, but Inler is there to clear. Seconds later, Albrighton plays the ball over the top for Vardy, who chases, but the ball eventually goes out for a throw-in.
6 minMahrez and Vardy connect for the first time in the game as the Frenchman plays the ball out wide to the left, but he overhits it slightly and Vardy fails to keep it in. Neither team have really got into their stride just yet, but there have been glimpses of attacking danger.
7 minLeicester go for the direct approach, of which they have used plenty of times this season, as they hoof the ball up towards Vardy, who puts pressure on Otamendi, but the defender manages to keep hold of the ball and safely knock it back to his goalkeeper.
9 minSterling waits on the edge of the box as Kolarov makes an overlapping run. The full-back has plenty of space as he whips the ball in, aiming for the box, but there's too much flight on the ball and he misses all of his teammates.
11 minCity try to cause trouble from a set piece as Kolarov sends the ball into the box from a free kick, but Morgan heads away, but the danger is not cleared as Mangala nicks the ball off Huth. Fortunately for the Leicester defender, the home side manage to get the ball away.
12 minAguero looks threatening for the first time in this game as he gets the ball in the middle of the box and makes a quick turn before shooting into the side-netting. The visitors get a corner, but nothing comes from it.
15 minLeicester have a good chance here! Sterling brings down Inler 35 yards from goal and the home side get a free kick. Fuchs chips it forward searching for Huth, who manages to get on the end of it, but it's a poor header as the ball flies over the crossbar. He should have done much better!
18 minSAVE! Big chance for City! Schmeichel is the first goalkeeper called into action as City break after Sagna sends the ball over the top. Sterling spots it and manages to race ahead of Huth before cutting the ball across to De Bruyne in the penalty area. The Belgian tries to find the breakthrough with a side-footed shot, but Schmeichel is there to punch the ball away.
19 minCity have another chance to find the opening goal as Aguero aims from the centre of the box, but the Argentine's shot bounces off the back of a Leicester defender. The visitors are beginning to cause trouble!
23 minPellegrini's side have been able to open up Leicester in the last few minutes and Sterling's pace is causing some problems. The away team have dominated possession in the first 20 or so minutes. However, the hosts have so far managed to keep City out and aside from that one save, Schmeichel has not had too much to do.
25 minSHOT! Mahrez is looking for his 14th goal! The Frenchman closes down Kolarov and puts the City man under enough pressure that he loses the ball. Mahrez latches onto it and cuts inside before trying to curl the ball into the top corner, but he misses the target.
26 minSAVE! So close for Sterling! The former Liverpool man comes close to finding the back of the net. His pace has been causing plenty of problems as he breaks away from his marker to receive the ball in the box. He chests it down and shoots towards the net, but Schmeichel gets a touch on it and keeps the ball out. City are knocking on the door!
29 minAguero brings the ball down with a decent touch before neatly playing it forward to Silva, whose cross lets him down. De Bruyne is able to prevent the ball from going out for a goal kick, but the attack eventually comes to nothing.
31 minIt's all City at the moment. Leicester are not a team known for possession, but they could do with some at the moment as the visitors are launching wave upon wave of attack.
32 minCHANCE! Sterling is involved again as he receives the ball from Kolarov. After two touches, the England international shoots with his left foot, but Schmeichel gets fingertips on it to push the ball over the bar.
33 minTut tut Kolarov... The full-back is under pressure from Vardy in his own half. As he tries to keep hold of the ball, he trips and falls, acting as though he has been fouled by the Leicester striker, but replays show that he actually kicked Vardy. He got away with it, though.
36 minSome lovely movement from City! Sterling and Sagna play some one-touch passing before the latter storms towards the byline, but he overhits the ball and Schmeichel times his run well as he gathers the ball before the City man can get to it.
40 minDOUBLE CHANCE! Huge chance for Leicester and the best one that they've had so far! Fuchs whips a perfect cross into the box. Albrighton sneaks in behind and tries to latch onto the ball at the near post, but he fails to get a foot on it and the opportunity goes begging. Seconds later, Fernandinho gives the ball away to Vardy on the edge of the box, but the Leicester striker's shot flies over the bar. That was a sitter for the 28-year-old. He, like everyone in the stadium, can't believe he's missed it!
43 minLeicester have come alive in these last few minutes. Mahrez goes on the charge and tries to get through City's defence in the box. As he does, the ball just gets away from him and Otamendi clatters into the Leicester man, who receives medical treatment, but seems okay to continue.
45+1 minHALF-TIME: LEICESTER CITY 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY
8.34pmReferee Craig Pawson blows his whistle and the sound of boos ring around the King Power Stadium as the home supporters are unhappy with a few decisions made by the match official. It seems as though the home side believe that they deserved a free kick after Mahrez was clattered into by Otamendi, but it was not to be.
8.36pmSo, the game is goalless as it stands, but at the moment it's been far from dull. We've had a free-flowing game, with both sides having decent chances to get on the scoresheet. Sterling has arguably been City's best performer so far - using his pace to cause problems and has had a handful of shots at goal, which have been denied by goalkeeper Schmeichel.
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8.37pmVardy had the best chance of the game and considering his form this season, he really should have scored! It was pretty much gifted to him as Fernandinho literally gave him the ball in his own half! The striker just had to beat the keeper, and he should have buried it, but the ball flew sky high. That was Leicester's only shot on target in the first half, and in fairness, had City been more clinical, the home side could be two or three goals down.
8.42pmCity have dominated the ball, but once in the final third, they have wasted the chances that have been created. You do get the feeling, though, that it is only a matter of time until one of those opportunities goes in. For Leicester, they have looked dangerous on the counter attack, but they have not had enough of the ball to create much of a threat for Joe Hart. City have shown some defensive frailties as they continue without injured Vincent Kompany, so the home side will be hopeful that they can get a goal in the second half.
45 minRESTART! Man City get the second half underway!
46 minCHANCE! City have made their intentions clear! The visitors go on the attack instantly as De Bruyne sends a low cross into the box and finds Aguero, who is at a tight angle but tries to sneak the ball in at the near post, but his attempt goes high over the bar.
49 minLeicester have been a bit sloppy in these early stages of the second half as City have seen much more of the ball once again. There's a tense atmosphere in the King Power Stadium as the fans know that their team will head into 2016 as Premier League leaders with a win this evening.
51 minCity come again as Sterling neatly cuts the ball back to Aguero, who tries to toe-poke his shot in the middle of the box, but Leicester defend well as they block the Argentine's effort before preventing Sagna's shot from reaching the target.
53 minAt the other end, Fuchs whips in a lovely ball into the box and Drinkwater tries to latch onto it, but he misjudges the bounce of the ball and the chance goes missing. Shortly afterwards, ironic cheers ring around the stadium as Vardy gets a free kick after Otamendi tackled him from behind. The set piece comes to nothing, though.
54 minCHANCE! It's end to end as Toure breaks away from the middle of the park, but Leicester are able to snatch the ball back. Kante charges from the middle of the park and unleashes a 30-yard effort, which is dipping but just bounces wide of the target. It troubled Hart enough to make him dive at full stretch, but it turns out that it was never going in.
56 minShould City have a penalty? Sterling uses his pace once again to send the ball across to Aguero, but Simpson gets around the striker to prevent him from connecting. In the process, the ball hits the defender's arm - Aguero appeals for the penalty, but it's waved away, and rightly so.
60 minLeicester have been showing some more attacking threat in this half and they have also had to defend for their lives at times! The fans are fully behind them, but they are yet to find that clinical touch.
61 minGreat vision from Mahrez as he plays in Albrighton in the box. The winger wraps his foot around the ball and aims for the far post, but he misses the target. You feel that Leicester need to take advantage of this spell!
63 minMAN CITY SUB: That's the end of Aguero's time on the pitch and he leaves the field to an array of boos after he went down in the box searching for a penalty off Inler. Bony comes on to replace him.
64 minCHANCE! City just cannot find the breakthrough no matter how hard they try at the moment. Otamendi heads on target from a corner, but Schmeichel gets a hand on it. Seconds later, the ball bounces around nervously in Leicester's box, but they manage to block various attempts.
66 minBOOKING! Kolarov is the first man to receive a yellow card in this match after bringing down Mahrez, who was close to breaking free on the counter attack.
67 minLEICESTER SUB: The home side make their first change as Ulloa comes on for Inler. Ranieri has gone for an alteration in shape, with the team now in a 4-4-2 formation.
69 minSterling charges forward but as he gets closed down, he knocks the ball forward for Kolarov. The City full-back gets away from his marker and cuts the ball across to Bony, who unleashes a shot with the side of his left foot, but the ball flies high over the crossbar.
71 minCHANCE! At the other end, Drinkwater drives through the midfield with a quick turn of pace and plays it out wide to Vardy, who tries to beat Hart at his near post with a low left-footed shot, but the goalkeeper collects the ball comfortably.
73 minConsidering these two teams are the highest scorers in the Premier League, it would be surprising to not see a goal in these last 20 or so minutes! Keep in mind, Leicester have not yet had a goalless draw in the top flight this season... At the moment, though, both sides seem to be cancelling each other out.
74 minMAN CITY SUB: Pellegrini makes a second change as Silva makes way for Navas.
76 minBOOKING! Mangala receives a caution for clattering into Ulloa on the edge of the 18-yard box. A decent position for Leicester to cause some damage...
77 minSAVE! Fuchs smashes the ball towards goal, but Hart manages to punch clear. In the end, Ulloa was flagged offside when the free kick was taken, so if the ball had gone in, it wouldn't have counted.
78 minThe game is very open at the moment! Vardy tries to beat Mangala to be one-on-one with the keeper, but the French defender does well to keep him at bay. At the other end, Bony goes for goal, but Morgan blocks his shot and prevents the danger.
80 minLEICESTER SUB: It's the end of Drinkwater's night as he is replaced by King for the final 10 minutes of the game.
81 minBOOKING! The cards have been coming out in this second half. Albrighton is next in the book for having his studs up while challenging for the ball with Sagna. The Leicester winger is a little late and ends up catching his opponent in the process.
82 minSterling makes the run in behind and De Bruyne creates another option for Bony, who has the ball, but the Ivorian opts to knock the ball over the top of the defence for Sterling, but it's a poor ball and goes straight to the keeper.
86 minFernandinho spots Sterling's run and tries to play the ball into the box for the England international, but Huth spots it too and is able to get across Sterling to block the path of the ball. Are we going to get a late winner?! Time is running out.
89 minMAN CITY SUB: The visitors make their final change as Sterling makes way for 19-year-old Iheanacho.
90 minCould this be the moment?! Leicester get a free kick five or so yards outside of the penalty area after Vardy was fouled. Otamendi delays the set piece by going to ground clutching his face after he was lightly caught by Huth, but there was no malice in it.
90+1 minThe ball is whipped in, but Hart tracks it in the air and punches clear to keep Leicester at bay. I think we might be looking at a 0-0 draw this evening.
90+2 minLEICESTER SUB: The home side seem happy to play for the point as Albrighton is replaced by De Laet.
90+3 minFULL-TIME: LEICESTER CITY 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY
9.37pmSurprisingly, the joint top scorers of the Premier League have failed to strike at the King Power Stadium this evening! Both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock, but the quality in the final third was not quite there for either side. The result means that Leicester sit second in the table, level on points with leaders Arsenal, while City head into 2016 in third place, three points off the top. That's all from us for now! Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye.
